Winderman’s view: As Wade reflects on Butler’s role, Butler or bust remains a thing in Heat win

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 106-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons:

– It has been an odd juxtaposition these past few days.

– If you didn’t know better, it’s almost as if Dwyane Wade has been sending subtle messages to Jimmy Butler.

– Sort of fit in, or fit out.

– There was more of the same Monday night, when Wade’s new arena-front sculpture again was celebrated.

– On the night he was honored for Sunday’s statue unveiling, Wade was asked pregame about Butler finding his way with this season’s Heat roster, saying Butler “needs to figure out this team this year and how he’s going to be the best version of Jimmy Butler for this team.”

– Wade said he appreciates Butler has moved into a different place in his career.

– “Roles change and you got to find that role and you got to find that comfort,” Wade continued. “So right now, we’re watching a team finding themselves and Jimmy has to find his role on this year’s team.”

– Wade added, “It’s not the same as the first year when he got here. The personnel is different. He’s different. He’s older, as well. Miles are adding up. But he’s smarter as a basketball player than he’s ever been.”

– And then there is the reality that followed.

– Butler is essential to any potential success for this team.

– A team that needs his offense-saving free throws.

– A team that needs his defensive peskiness.

– A team that simply can’t rely on the 3-point game.

– Not when the 3-pointers are being shot at this percentage.

– Butler might not fit in as Erik Spoelstra might prefer with the attempt to move to a different offense.

– But he still is the Heat’s best path to victory.

– For the third time in as many games, the Heat opened with a lineup of Butler, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier.

– Out for the Heat were Josh Christopher (G League), Keshad Johnson (inactive)  and Kevin Love (personal reasons).

– Josh Richardson was available for the first time this season.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. again played as sixth man.

– Duncan Robinson followed.

– Then Thomas Bryant for eight deep.

– And Alec Burks as ninth man.

–  But this time Spoelstra went 10 deep, with Haywood Highsmith back in the mix after being held out Saturday in Charlotte.

– Herro converted a 3-pointer for the 42nd consecutive game. His longest career streak is 53 consecutive such games.

– Herro scored in double figures for the 33rd consecutive game, five games shy of the longest such streak of his career.

– The game was the 900th regular-season appearance for the Pistons’ Tobias Harris.

– Adebayo entered averaging 20.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in his previous seven games against Detroit, and had a 20-point, 17-rebound double-double in the previous meeting, on March 17.

– Burks spent parts of the previous two seasons in Detroit, averaging 12.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 21.5 minutes across 94 games (eight starts).

– The Heat entered having won six in a row against the Pistons, the longest streak by either team since Miami won seven straight from Dec. 1, 2010 to April 8, 2012.